More bad news on Brayden Point

The Tampa Bay Lightning has confirmed that forward Brayden Point will not play in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers because of a lower-body injury.

This is what head coach Jon Cooper told reporters on Wednesday, a day after Tampa’s 4-1 victory in Game 1 over the Panthers Monday night. Point was not in the lineup.

Point was injured in the first period of Saturday’s Game 7 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs after an awkward fall along the boards. He managed to get off the ice on his own, and took one shift early in the second period, but looked to be in significant pain upon his return to the bench where he was consoled by teammates.

While the injury remains undisclosed, it was clear that Point sustained a lower-body injury that could sideline him for more games in the near future.

Point, who is an important contributor to the Lightning’s past two championship runs, scored the overtime winner in Game 6 to force a Game 7 in Toronto. He tallied two goals and two assists in the series against the Maple Leafs after recording 28 goals and 30 assists over 66 games this season, his sixth with Tampa Bay.

The Bolts are hoping to have him return soon, maybe for Game 3 once the series shifts back to Tampa Bay.